"It's great to be back at Wimbledon. Mom was in the Royal Box and that was really nice."

The world number one, regarded as one of the finest servers in history, achieved just a 60% success rate on her first serves.

But there was never any suggestion she would not go on to beat the Grand Slam debutant, securing victory with a successful challenge to set up a tie against compatriot Christina McHale.

McHale, who beat Daniela Hantuchova 7-5 6-2, has already lost twice to the 21-time Grand Slam champion in 2016.

First-round defeat for Wozniacki

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Wimbledon 2016: Best action as Kuznetsova beats Wozniacki

Rain disrupted play on the second day, but under a closed roof on Centre Court former world number one Caroline Wozniacki lost 7-5 6-4 to world number 14 Svetlana Kuznetsova in one hour and 28 minutes.

"It was way too good a match for the first round," the Russian told BBC Sport. "I think I did great, I'm happy with my performance."

Kuznetsova will now play Britain's wildcard Tara Moore, who secured her first Grand Slam win with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Alison Van Uytvanck, becoming the fourth Briton to reach the second round.

Former finalist Eugenie Bouchard was leading Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3 2-1 while British number one Johanna Konta was 6-1 2-1 up against Monica Puig when rain stopped play.

'Carpool Karaoke' for Serena?

In the Royal Box watching Serena was English actor Dominic Cooper, a friend of James Corden - the British host of 'The Late Late Show with James Corden'.

Asked whether she would get Cooper to act as a conduit so that Williams could take part in Corden's Carpool Karoke, she replied: "I can't really hold a tune. I might the first person to get kicked out of the car."

Familiar faces in the Royal Box

England rugby union player Chris Robshaw, fresh from the team's series win against Australia, watched Williams on Centre Court

Serena's mother Oracene Price was a guest in the Royal Box to watch her daughter's opening match

They weren't in the Royal Box, but former Australia cricketer Shane Warne was at Wimbledon with compatriot and former champion Pat Cash

Serena 'kinda in love with her dress'

Her serve may have mis-fired, but Serena was happy with her outfit as she began her Wimbledon campaign. "Kinda in love with my Wimbledon dress," she posted on Instagram after her win

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